ign logo IGN.com | AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GameSpy | FilePlanet | TeamXbox | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | Direct2Drive

RottenTomatoes.com

RT Bug Squash
Home Movies DVD Celebrities News Critics Photos & Trailers The Vine Forums
Box Office | Best Of | Certified Fresh | Showtimes
Register for free site & special features! | Log In | What is RT?
                       
MOVIES / ON DVD / MICHAEL CLAYTON
Michael Clayton

Rate This Movie

Write a Review
Share This Movie
Add to List
Buy Poster

Bookmark and Share

Michael Clayton (2007)

91%
100%
87%
N/A
N/A
N/A
91 %
Reviews Counted: 180 Fresh: 163  Rotten:17 Average Rating: 7.7/10
 
Consensus: A thriller invaluably abetted by its sharp script and faultless cast. Michael Clayton is one of the most sharply scripted films of 2007, with an engrossing premise and faultless acting. Director Tony Gilroy succeeds not only in capturing the audience's attention, but holding it until the credits roll. more
 
Rated: 15
Runtime: 2 hrs
Theatrical Release: 28-09-2007
Synopsis:
Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is what is known in the legal world as a "fixer," or in the character's own pejorative version, a "janitor" who cleans up legal messes for VIPs and corporations on behalf of a prestigious New York City law firm. A former litigator, Clayton has found a niche that... [More]
Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is what is known in the legal world as a "fixer," or in the character's own pejorative version, a "janitor" who cleans up legal messes for VIPs and corporations on behalf of a prestigious New York City law firm. A former litigator, Clayton has found a niche that capitalizes on his legal acumen and shrewd people skills, and yet, after 13 years on the job, finds himself increasingly disgusted with his clientele. The film covers four pivotal days of his life, in which a midlife crisis and a crisis of conscience neatly converge when he is called in to "fix" a situation unfolding in one of his firm's hottest cases. Brilliant lawyer Arthur Edens (another powerhouse performance by Tom Wilkinson), representing a huge agro-chemical corporation being hit by a class action suit, has a bipolar breakdown, compounded by guilt over his defense of a company that is probably in the wrong, but is wealthy enough to buy its innocence either way. The company's CEO (Tilda Swinton) will stop at nothing to keep Edens from sinking the case. Clayton must decide how much of Edens's mad rebellion against the company is sheer mental illness, how much is true, and how much it will cost him to do the right thing. Clooney delivers a rich performance as a hangdog and haunted man who wants to stay on the side of good, but is a little too skilled at moral margin-walking to make that an easy choice in every situation. Swinton glows as a secretly frail Amazon who somehow won't let a tortured conscience prevent her from getting ahead. The final third of the film is as suspenseful as any courtroom drama, without ever resorting to legal-thriller cliches. [Less]

Genre: Drama, Law/Lawyers, Thriller, Mental Illness, Divorce, Theatrical Release

Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack

Director: Tony Gilroy
Screenwriter: Tony Gilroy
Producer: Sydney Pollack, Jennifer Fox, Steve Samuels, Kerry Orent
Composer: James Newton Howard

DVD Info

Release:

Jul 2, 2009

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Anamorphic Widescreen

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English, French, Spanish
  • Dolby Digital 2.0
  • Subtitles - English (SDH), French, Spanish - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Additional Scenes
  • Audio Commentary - Tony Gilroy - Writer/Director; John Gilroy -

Reviews

 
T-Meter Critics
 
 
Top Critics
 
 
RT Community
 
 
My Critics
 
 
My Friends
 
 
DVD
 
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Arrange By: Name | Fresh | Rotten | Date | Source
 
 
Ratings Image

Insinuating and extremely clever, this insightful, low-key thriller takes a provocative look into the life of a man whose world begins to unravel around him.

Full Review | Comment
09/29/07 11:23 AM
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
Ratings Image

Clooney has seldom been better as Clayton, a man beginning to feel that his skill is not exactly being put to good uses.

Full Review | Comment
09/29/07 11:03 AM
Derek Malcolm
This is London
Ratings Image

The real triumph is Clooney's, his award-worthy work confirming his status as this generation's most watchable leading man.

Full Review | Comment
09/29/07 10:57 AM
Neil Smith
thelondonpaper
Ratings Image

A potentially corny plot is stylishly executed, abetted by a perfect cast.

Full Review | Comment
09/29/07 03:00 AM
Martin Hoyle
Financial Times
Ratings Image

Expertly paced, tautly written and superbly cast, it may turn out to be the most auspicious debut of the year.

Full Review | Comment
09/29/07 02:46 AM
Anthony Quinn
Independent
Ratings Image

Not a bundle of laughs but a brilliant and compelling drama. This is Clooney at his very best.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 01:08 PM
Sun Online
Ratings Image

A somewhat far-fetched, melodramatic ending restores some self-esteem to Clayton. But not before we have seen the weariness and anger chip away at that handsome face.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 12:48 PM
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

There’s a great George Clooney film in here somewhere, but you have to look mighty hard to find it.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 12:46 PM
Daily Mirror [UK]
Ratings Image

Gorgeous George is wonderfully jaundiced as Michael Clayton, an amoral corporate lawyer who has made his name by defending the indefensible.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 12:31 PM
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

A good fix from a good fixer.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 12:25 PM
Tom Cox
Daily Mail [UK]
Ratings Image

A dark, engaging drama that asks some difficult moral questions, Michael Clayton is a classy piece of filmmaking with yet another in a long line of fine performances from George Clooney.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 12:08 PM
Saxon Bullock
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

Continuing to seek out writer/directors with something to say, Clooney’s latest pair-up packs its anti-corporate agenda with enough meat to keep you hooked.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 11:54 AM
Matt Mueller
Total Film
Ratings Image

It's all very smooth, but the problem is it's also a bit anodyne and unlikely to hold up in comparisons to Clooney's other 'serious' films, whose stories have more to offer underneath the polish.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 04:56 AM
Laura Bushell
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

Think old chewing gum with a masculine flavour.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 04:48 AM
Lorien Haynes
Little White Lies
Ratings Image

It's a cool, intelligent thriller and boasts a closing confrontation between Clooney and Swinton that is truly stand-out.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 03:34 AM
Tim Evans
Sky Movies
Ratings Image

This offers moments of suspense, some pointed scenes and star charisma, but it’s also a touch confused. Heads will be scratched before they roll.

Full Review | Comment
09/28/07 03:11 AM
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

Impressively directed, superbly acted thriller, but it moves too slowly to really engage the audience and ultimately works better as a character study.

Full Review | Comment
09/27/07 03:15 AM
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
Ratings Image

Michael Clayton definitely has its heart in the '70s.

Full Review | Comment
05/01/08 04:04 PM
Alonso Duralde
MSNBC
Ratings Image

Malo je gledatelja koji od prve ne%u0107e shvatiti tko su u filmu pozitivci a tko negativci.

Full Review | Comment
04/10/08 03:56 AM
Dragan Antulov
Index.hr
Ratings Image

A killer voice-over by Tom Wilkinson sets the tone for this dramatic thriller, and you're willing to go on the journey even if you don't understand it all the time.

Full Review | Comment
03/03/08 03:25 PM
Jeff Bayer
Daily Herald (IL)
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
See More Topics...

Related Forums

Was I Watching the Same Movie?
by: Trevy 5/7


not bad
by: thefastcook 5/5


montenegrino
90% Rt-what A Shame!
by: montenegrino 5/5


the most boring film of the year
by: vicontvalmont 4/10


The puzzle is solved!
by: Tom78DK 3/15
all

Pictures

all

Videos

Trailer #1
Watch Now >>
all

News

Script Review: Tony Gilroy's Duplicity
posted by April 11, 2008
Tony Gilroy's follow-up to Michael Clayton -- the Clive Owen/Julia Roberts-led Duplicity -- is filming now, and...


Box Office Guru Preview: Clooney Suits Up For Football Fun
posted by Gitesh Pandya April 03, 2008
George Clooney, the Mayor McCheese of Hollywood, leaves behind Oscar season and returns to the big screen with lighter...


George Clooney on Combining Football and Screwball in Leatherheads
posted by Jen Yamato April 02, 2008
After nabbing Oscar notice for recent dramas, it's about time George Clooney lightened up. More with America's...


Our Favorite Moments From The 80th Academy Awards -- An Oscar Pictorial
posted by Jen Yamato February 27, 2008
We've selected some of our favorite moments from Hollywood's biggest night! Browse our gallery of gowns on the red...

Around the Network

• Michael Clayton at Rotten Tomatoes
• Michael Clayton at IGN
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | ModCenter | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive

By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2008, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.